Today, December 16, 2025, marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth (1775–1817). Despite her short life, Austen produced six novels that have become cornerstones of English literature: Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), Northanger Abbey (1817), and Persuasion (1817). With sharp irony and keen psychological insight, her works explore themes of love, social class, and morality in early 19th-century England. Austen's influence reaches far beyond her original novels, inspiring countless sequels, parodies, and adaptations. Our library collection highlights this ongoing legacy: for instance, Emma Tennant's An Unequal Marriage: Pride and Prejudice Twenty Years Later imagines what happens to the Darcys after the happy ending of the original novel. If you're in the mood for something with horror and fantastic elements, try Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Austen's stories have also been adapted numerous times for the screen, from Ang Lee's acclaimed Sense and Sensibility to the 2009 BBC adaptation of Emma—and many more available on Kanopy. These versions bring her timeless characters and themes to new audiences with fresh perspectives. As the fall semester winds down and exam season approaches, there's no better way to celebrate Austen's 250th birthday (and reward yourself during the winter break) than by diving into her brilliant novels. Visit our library to check out the works!

If this is your first exam season at HKUST, here’s a little heads-up: the next three weeks come with plenty of support and cheer across campus for you. If you’ve been here before, you already know the drill: your schools and many offices will be out in full force with encouragement, activities, food and drinks to help you recharge. At the Library, we have our own way of supporting you: Snack Breaks, a long-running tradition that is all about taking you away from your study seat and giving you a little treat. A Bite of History Snack Breaks started back in 2012, the same year the Learning Commons opened its doors. It was a fresh idea then, and it quickly got warm appreciation among students. Fast forward to today, and we’re in the 14th year of this program! As the library team gears up for another round of Snack Breaks, I couldn't help but wonder what those early breaks looked like. To my surprise, they could almost pass for last year’s! Same friendly vibe, same happy faces, same humble but always welcome snacks. Some traditions never age; and that is exactly what makes them special.